OUR VIEW: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Saturday

Mar 16, 2019 at 3:00 AM

GOOD

Keeping our past part of our future

The sale of the Buffalo Head restaurant in Forestport and the Hulbert House in Boonville is great news for folks in the North Country, but it's good for flatlanders, too, who have long appreciated the two iconic restaurants just a short drive from the city.

Both establishments - longtime fixtures in Oneida County- have had a bumpy ride in recent years. But having new owners has sparked hope that the places will be up and running again before long.

In fact, Gateway Properties Owner/Broker Nicholas Polce says new owner Kevin Asaro of Rome hopes to open the Buffalo Head at the end of June. Situated beside the Adirondack rail line at Forestport Station, the Buffalo Head dates to the 1800s.

Meanwhile, Carl Vogel — of Carl’s Wholesale Furniture Warehouse — who heads Genesee St. LLC, the limited liability company that bought the Hulbert House, doesn't yet have specific plans for the historic building, which dates to the early 19th century. But he says he is excited to be the new owner.

"I will now conduct a thorough review of the buildings with my architect, engineer and contractor to determine its immediate and long term needs," Vogel said in a text message. "After I complete my review, I will establish a development plan that will guarantee its economic stability and success while preserving the history of the property."

We wish both men luck in preserving these important parts of who we are.

GOOD

Judge makes right call against anti-vax crowd

A federal judge, citing an "unprecedented measles outbreak" in suburban Rockland County, this week denied a request to let 44 unvaccinated children return to school.

Parents of students in the Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge have sued the county health department. They say none of the school's excluded children have contracted measles amid the county's outbreak, which started last fall. According to the Journal News, their lawyer, Michael Sussman, criticized the judge's decision Tuesday to deny a temporary injunction that would have allowed the children back in classes.

On the same day, pediatric organizations expressed support for state legislation that would allow minors to get vaccinated without parental consent. The legislation's Democratic sponsors say too many parents believe unsupported online claims that vaccines are unsafe.

Two decades ago, measles - a virus that is highly contagious - had been virtually eradicated in this country. But conspiracy theories and other misinformation being spread via social media have caused many parents not to vaccinate their children. As a result, measles has made a comeback, and, according to the World Health Organization, has become a global health threat.

No other vaccine-preventable disease causes as many deaths.

UGLY

Fighting hate a job for us all

The latest blast of anti-Semitism came in the form of a brainless act this week when a poster advertising a book about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was defaced with a swastika and an anti-Semitic insult.

WNBC reported that a straphanger tweeted a photo of the defaced poster on a Brooklyn subway platform to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and police, who are investigating.

"DIE JEW" was written across her forehead and glasses. There was a swastika over her mouth.

Subway officials say the graffiti had been removed.

"There is no room for hate in NYC," the NYPD said on Twitter.

There's no room for hate anywhere. Such heinous behavior is difficult for any normal-thinking person to comprehend. That's why we all must teach our children and grandchildren love and respect for all people - and pray for decency-challenged sorts who would stoop to such pitiful levels.

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